frequency of workouts

[vibrant]

how many times a week should i work out my abs? i do various excerises, and the next day, my muscles ache in that area so i'm not too thrilled about doing anything. but the day after, i'll do the same routine, and the next day, feel no soreness (as though i hadn't done any work).

is it like every second day? three times a week?

don't know.

i know weighttraining, you've to give your muscles a day off or so.

some advice would sorely be welcomed (pun intended)

 

[Leader of the Banned]

Arnold Schwarzenegger did abs everyday but the general rule is to give your muscles 48-72 hours to recover. If your abs are still sore from your previous work out give them another day.

 

[Chakotay]

I usually do my abs at least five days a week -- basic crunches, and things of that nature. I'm never sore. Now my other muscles sometimes are sore for a day or so but that's normal for me.

 

[Bear]

I train my abs like any other muscle, intensely once and twice a week.

 

[vibrant]

thanks

 

[SeRapH&CheRi]

I train my abs like any other muscle, intensely once and twice a week.

Yeah, I do the same thing as well. Someone told me once that your ab exercise should be included as a part of your work out, especially if you want to see results.

 

[catalyst]

The main muscle of the abs, the rectus abdominus, is a phasic muscle, which means that it is composed of primarily fast twitch muscle fibers. Work them hard, then let them rest and recover. If you can work them several times a week, you are simply not working hard enough.

 

[SeRapH&CheRi]

If you can work them several times a week, you are simply not working hard enough.

So how do we know that we're working our abs hard enough then?

 

[peterc]

I do the abs every workout...even on cardio days just because that is my biggest problem area. I can usually tell quickly if i have overdone my crunches...i get ab muscle spazes. I have to stay at about 50 to 60 a set. so i am the exeption to catalysts rule: I can work them everyday if wanted without soreness the next day??
i must be ab normal.....ha
perhaps vibrant you need to lower the intensity of your workout.

 

[JillLars]

i must be ab normal.....ha

Some days I can feel my abs after I work them out, and others I can't. My the lower right side of my belly was twitching all weekend, it was drivin me crazy, maybe I overdid my ab workout or something.

 

[Chakotay]

It seems like some days I concentrate on my exercise better than others. I can tell a big difference on those high-concentration days. I visualize my muscles working and growing. I don't do high reps which is why I can pretty much work out daily. I switch exercises a lot and if I don't feel like doing a particular exercise that day, I save it for the next day. I keep my muscles confused that way, which causes them to work harder.